​Kate Ellis in Conversation

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

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In Sex, Lies and Question Time, former Member of the Australian Parliament Kate Ellis explores the good, the bad and the ugly of life as a woman in Australian politics.

Seventy-seven years after the first woman entered Australian parliament, female politicians are still the minority. They cop scrutiny over their appearance, their sex lives, their parenting and their portfolios in a way few of their male colleagues do. It’s time to call bullshit on the toxic Canberra culture.

Alongside her own experiences from fifteen years in parliament, Kate Ellis reveals a frank and fascinating picture of women across Australian politics, including Julia Gillard, Julie Bishop, Linda Burney, Sussan Ley, Penny Wong, Sarah Hanson-Young and Pauline Hanson. Kate explores issues like sexism, motherhood, appearances, social media, the sisterhood and, of course, sex. But she also celebrates everything Australian female politicians have achieved.

Wry, candid and provocative, Sex, Lies and Question Time is a powerful call to demand more of our leaders and our institutions. It reminds us we need greater diversity to shape a fairer Australia, where ‘women’s issues’ are everyone’s issues. A better parliament means a better Australia. The stakes are high, and the standards should be too.

‘A raw and searing account of the treatment of women in Australian politics combined with an upbeat message about the future, this book will make you gasp, shed a tear, laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all and get vocal about the need for change.’ Julia Gillard

‘Kate Ellis has produced the definitive account of the “ditch the witch” generation of Australian political women. Read it. This book could not be more important or timely.’ Katharine Murphy, The Guardian

‘Kate Ellis trains an unflinching eye on the toxic culture that women have endured in Australian politics for far too long. With candour and heart she speaks to women across the political spectrum to share the shocking stories of the attempts to keep women down and out. But it’s also the story of the women who have refused to be silenced, and whose achievements are astounding. Sex, Lies and Question Time is an essential read for every Australian.’ Jacinta Parsons

‘I thought I knew it all, but Kate Ellis’s insider account of the never-ending abuse of women in federal parliament absolutely shocked me. This book needed to be written.’ Anne Summers